15 Southern African creative businesses earn a place in prestigious France-backed incubation programme, Création Africa 2
Programme continues to unlock growth and investment potential across South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi’s creative economy
15 of Southern Africa’s most promising creative businesses have been selected from more than 340 applicants to receive intensive incubation and investment-readiness support through the Création Africa 2 programme, positioning them to scale their businesses and access new markets. Création Africa is an initiative of The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS). The programme continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening creative entrepreneurship across the region, supporting ventures with the potential to scale sustainably while contributing to economic growth and cultural impact. From the 340 applications, a jury panel of industry experts selected the Top 50 entrepreneurs, who took part in a seven-week mentorship phase. Following a final round of pitches, the Top 15 finalists were selected. In addition to this, 67% of the Top 15 are women, which speaks to the important role women play in the cultural and creative economy in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi.
The finalists include businesses that are revitalising traditional African craftsmanship, building internationally recognised gaming studios, growing contemporary African fashion brands, and creating new opportunities across Africa’s publishing and music industries. Collectively, the entrepreneurs represent South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, with businesses tackling youth employment, digital innovation, sustainability and cultural preservation through creative enterprise.
From incubation to market readiness
The Top 15 entrepreneurs are currently completing a seven-month tailored incubation programme designed to strengthen their business models, refine their value propositions and prepare them for investment readiness. This phase, which runs until October 2026, includes access to investor networks, strategic guidance, sector expertise and funding readiness support, all aimed at enabling these ventures to scale and compete in both local and global markets. The programme is delivered in partnership with implementation partner UVU Africa, who oversees incubation programme with the oversight of Team France. Création Africa is delivered through CAPACITI, UVU Africa’s digital skills and enterprise development platform, working directly with creative founders to build enterprise readiness and translate creative potential into sustainable ventures.
Meet the Top 15 Entrepreneurs
The following entrepreneurs have been selected to advance to the incubation phase of Création Africa 2:
Design and Craft
- Pinda Furniture and Interior Design (Siyanda Mbele)
- Neimil (Pty) Ltd (Keneilwe Mothoa and co-founder Lubabalo Mxalisa)
- Emotives Africa (Xolela Madlanga)
- Akhada Baskets (Tisungane Thomson)
Fashion
- SWANK JOZI (Lindelani Nedoboni)
- Thethana (Nkotseng Moleko)
- GUGUBYGUGU PTY LTD (Gugu Peteni)
- LEO SZN (Kirsten Leo)
- House of Xandria (Xandria Kawanga)
Gaming and Interactive Media
- Vetkoek Studios (Mamello Raboroko and co-founder Eric Gardiner)
Film, Television and Animation
- Lincoln Green Media (Kudakwashe ‘Kudi’ Maradzika)
- Better Yet (Hallie Haller)
Music
- Music Business Lab (Ninel Musson)
Digital Media
- iQHAWE Media (Renaé Mangena and Anastatia Nkhuna)
Publishing
- Bridge Books (Griffin Shea)
A continued commitment to creative entrepreneurship
“Congratulations to the Création Africa Top 15 nominees, for this second edition of the Création Africa programme. The external jury had a strong Top 50 candidates to select from, which is a vivid testimony of the strength of creative ventures and of the dynamism of cultural and creative entrepreneurs across South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi.” said Mr Benjamin Cabouat, Deputy Head of Mission, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi. “We extend special recognition to the Top 15 as they enter the incubation phase of the programme, advancing from development to execution with opportunities to scale up their activities and benefit from dedicated mentorship.”
This next phase of the programme reinforces France’s ongoing commitment to cultural cooperation and economic development through the creative industries. By supporting entrepreneurship in the arts and culture sector, Création Africa positions creativity as a key pillar of sustainable growth and international collaboration. As the Top 15 entrepreneurs continue their incubation journey, the focus shifts from development to execution, enabling these businesses to unlock new markets, secure investment and scale their operations.
“The Top 15 founders have displayed the resilience, adaptability and leadership needed to navigate the realities of business ownership. Their work not only impacts their local communities, but is driving the creative economy forward” said Chanél Oldfield, Chief Executive of CAPACITI. We are proud to continue supporting them as they sharpen their strategies, strengthen their ventures and turn creative ambition into sustainable businesses that create jobs, shape culture and contribute to inclusive economic growth.”
For more information and to view the full profiles of the Top 15 entrepreneurs, visit:
https://frenchinstitute.org.za/arts-and-creative-industries/creative-industries/creation-africa-2/top-15-announcement-creation-africa-2/
About IFAS
Since its creation in 1995, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) has been working on a strong policy of cooperation between South Africa, France and the rest of the African continent. The cultural arm of the Embassy of France to South Africa, IFAS works in all fields of artistic creation, with priority given to the cultural and creative industries. Through actions based on co-creation, IFAS encourages and promotes collaboration with key players in the French cultural sector. IFAS actively promotes young talent and training and participates in the reflection on public policies by constantly pursuing the idea that arts and culture are powerful factors for inclusion and social cohesion. Each year IFAS organises or supports more than 70 projects, which are carried out with partners located in South Africa but also on the whole African continent, in France and in Europe.
About UVU Africa
UVU Africa is an innovation ecosystem orchestrator working to unlock inclusive economic growth across the African continent. A non-profit, impact-driven organisation, UVU Africa was founded in 1999 as Africa’s first technology incubator (formerly the Cape Innovation & Technology Initiative, or CiTi). Over 25 years, it has evolved into a pan-African platform driving innovation, skills development, and entrepreneurship at scale. Through its cluster model, UVU Africa builds enabling interventions that connect youth, entrepreneurs, and innovators to opportunities in high-growth sectors including digital skills, biotechnology, education technology, and the creative economy. Its work spans ecosystem orchestration, infrastructure development, capital access, and policy advocacy, creating the conditions for sustainable, innovation-led economic growth. Recognised in the Financial Times Top 200 Fastest Growing Companies in Africa (2025), UVU Africa continues to expand its footprint across the continent. Working in partnership with governments, funders, and the private sector, UVU Africa is shaping the systems and infrastructure that power Africa’s innovation economy and future of work. For more information, visit www.uvuafrica.com